Method and Apparatus to clear a clogged toilet without contact of the bowl contents

ABSTRACT

This invention serves to enable a person to simply and easily fix a clogged toilet without the need to make contact with the contents of the bowl. This is achieved by sealing the bowl and leveraging the pressure (head) of the water from the tank to push the clog through and return the toilet to normal operation. It improves on previous methods of clearing clogs in being simpler for the end user to apply, and much more sanitary.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

Not applicable.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Ask anyone what their least favorite household tasks are and clearing aclogged toilet is likely to show up near the top of the list for mostpeople. The toilet plunger has been the traditional means of resolvingthis issue, but disgusts many due to its requirement to come in contactwith the contents of the toilet bowl which are causing the clog. Thus anew solution for dealing with a clogged toilet was needed, whichprovided the simplicity of use that the plunger affords, but without theneed to contaminate the used apparatus with the contents of the toiletbowl.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A new method and device for clearing clogged toilets is presented, whichinvolves placing the invention on the toilet bowl, sitting upon it, andflushing the toilet in order to unclog it, thus solving the problem ofsanitation that a plunger presents while remaining inherently simple touse.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING

FIG. 1 depicts a standard toilet with its parts labeled according to thenames used through the invention specification.

FIG. 2 shows the intended shape of the invention when viewed from above

FIG. 3 presents a side profile of the invention, with components labeled

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing the invention in operation

FIG. 5 is a picture of the prototype implementation of the invention

FIG. 6 is a diagram of the dimensions of components used to build theprototype

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

A diagram of a toilet with relevant parts labeled is included (FIG. 1)to serve as a reference through this specification. In implementing thisinvention, a simple apparatus is created which is shaped approximatelythe same as the lid of a toilet bowl, excepting that it should beslightly larger so as to overlap the sides of the bowl (FIG. 2). Theapparatus consists of 3 main components: a rigid support platesufficient to support the weight of an individual sitting upon theapparatus while it is supported beneath by the rim of the toilet bowl,an airtight material such as vinyl or plastic (henceforth referred to asfabric) covering the plate on at least the bottom side which will makecontact with the toilet bowl, and a dense foam interior between thesupport plate and the fabric to ensure an airtight contact seal betweenthe fabric on the bottom of the apparatus and the toilet bowl rim at allpoints of contact (FIG. 3). The support plate and foam are cut toapproximately the same shape and sandwiched together, with the fabricwrapped around them and attached to the support plate (glue/tacks/etc),such that the bottom (foam-side) of the apparatus presents a continuoussurface of the fabric. The shape of the apparatus should be such thatwhen placed atop a toilet bowl that has the lid and seat raised, theapparatus completely covers the bowl opening, leaving no space for airto escape the bowl. In the usage of the described invention, theapparatus is placed, foam side down, on top of the bowl of a cloggedtoilet, with the lid and seat having been previously raised such thatthe apparatus rests directly on the toilet bowl rim. The apparatusshould be positioned such that the bowl opening is completely coveredand the fabric makes contact with the rim on all sides. The user sitsdown on top of the apparatus to compress the foam and ensure an airtightseal all the way around and prevent air escaping from the bowl. In arelated alternative, the apparatus itself could be designed with weightsinside such that it provided sufficient force itself to function withouta person sitting on top. Once the apparatus is in place and the bowlthus sealed, the toilet is flushed and the pressure/head of the waterfrom the tank is transferred to the clog in the bowl, pushing it throughand un-clogging the toilet (FIG. 4). In a related form, the seat and lidof the toilet itself could be built such that the seat included a foamand fabric bottom which would seal against the bowl, and the lidincluded a foam and fabric bottom (or outer ring) which would sealagainst the seat, such that when both the seat and the lid were closedand a person sat on the lid, the tank would be sealed in the same way asthe described standalone apparatus. Thus the invention could beintegrated into toilets as they were manufactured.

A prototype (FIG. 5) of this invention has been manufactured and testedusing the following materials and methods. A ½ inch piece of plywood wascut to be 18.5 inches long by 16 inches wide, with 45 degree notches cutout of the corners on one side (FIG. 6). A 3 inch thick piece of highdensity foam from a craft store was cut to the same dimensions. A 42inch by 18 inch piece of heavy vinyl material was used to enclose boththe plywood and the foam, with hot-glue used to attach the vinyl to theplywood and/or itself to finalize the apparatus. Care was taken toensure that the seams of the vinyl landed only on the sides or theplywood side of the device, such that the vinyl which covered the foamwas a single continuous surface.

1. A process of clearing a clogged toilet by sealing the bowl and usingthe pressure/head of the water stored in the tank to push the clogthrough.
 2. A device for clearing a clogged toilet consisting of a rigidplate for support, foam interior, and airtight material covering, beingsized and shaped such as to cover the rim of a toilet bowl and providean airtight seal of the bowl when placed upon it and sat upon.
 3. Adevice for clearing a clogged toilet according to claim 4 in which thetoilet lid and seat are used for the rigid support and the foam andairtight material are integrated into the bottom sides of the lid andseat such that closing the lid and seat and sitting upon the lid sealsthe bowl.